Snap-on lid for plastic container



April 30, 1968 F. J. KRIEPS SNAP-ON LID FOR PLASTIC CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1966 J'nvenZ Jr FrankJKriguS 3 W W @5 April 30, 1968 F. J. KRIEPS 3,380,610

SNAP-ON LID FOR PLASTIC CONTAINER Filed Oct. 13, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3,380,610 SNAP-( 1N LID FOR PLASTIC CONTAINER Frank .I. Krrcps, Elmhurst, lll., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 586,443 6 Claims. (Cl. 215-41) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE skirlt to snugly engage an inside surface of the container nee This invention relates to closure arrangements, and more partieularly to a snap-on lid or cover for a plastic container such as a bottle, can, or box.

This invention eomprehends an improved closure arrangement for a plastic container having a snap-on lid which is particularly suitable for fluid tight sealing of the container.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a closure arrangement for a plastic container including a snap-on lid which can be placed in the neck of the container and then snapped into tight engagement with the lnner surface of the container neck by deflecting the lid axially inwardly or outwardly of the container neck to effect a preferably fluid tight seal between the lid and the container. A more specific object of the invention is to provide, in a closure arrangement of the type described, a snap-on 11d including a circular central Wall connected to an annular skirt adapted to fit over the neck of the container by an annular, toggle-like closure member including a body and a pair of integral hinges connecting the body to the outer periphery of the central wall and the inner periphery of the skirt in such a manner that when the central wall of the lid is deflected in an axial direction the free end of the body is deflected outwardly into a groove in the inside of the container neck to effect a fluid tight seal between the lid and the container.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from an examination of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of portion of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 2, with the cover shown in the non-sealing position;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but with the lid shown in the sealing position;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are similar to FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively, but illustrate a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURES 7 and 8 are also similar to FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively, but illustrate another modified form of the invention.

It will be understood that, for purposes of clarity, certain elements have been intentionally omitted from certain views where they are believed to be illustrated to better advantage in other views.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of the invention, and particularly to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the structure embodying the invention innited States Patent ice eludes a snap-on lid, indicated generally at L, preferably formed of a generally rigid plastic material, adapted to fit over the neck N of a container C in order to effect a preferably fluid tight seal therebetween.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 lid L includes a generally flat, relatively thin, circular, central wall 10 and an annular skirt 12, which is generally in the form of an inverted U in cross section, having an outer portion 14 and inner portion 16 adapted to fit on opposite sides of the container neck and interconnected by a top section 18.

The central wall and the skirt of the lid are interconnected by an annular sealing member 20 which includes a relatively thin or narrow elongated, in cross section, body 21 having a first portion 22 and a second portion 24 which are hingedly attached to the central wall and to the skirt by relatively thin integral hinges 26 and 28, respectively.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, hinge 26, connecting the body to the outer periphery of the central wall 10, is attached to the free end of the body first portion 22. Hinge 28, connecting the body to the inner periphery of the skirt inner portion 16, is attached to the body at a location intermediate the ends of the body so that the body second portion 24 projects axially inwardly from hinge 28 the skirt inner portion when the lid is in the nonsealing position. Also, when the lid is in non-sealing position, the entire body of the sealing member is disposed entirely radially inwardly of the outer surface of the skirt inner portion.

Still referring to FIGURE 3 it will be seen that the neck of the container is provided on its inner surface with an annular recess or groove 30 spaced axially inwardly from the free end of the neck so as to be approximately in line with the lower or inner extremity of inner portion 16 of the skirt.

To describe the operation of the closure arrangement it will be understood that the plastic material from which the lid is formed is preferably not soft or pliable, but is preferably relatively rigid, although still flexible, so that the-hinges connecting the body of the sealing member to the skirt and central Wall of the lid operate with the body in a toggle-like arrangement, as the lid is deflected axially past the center line, to effect a spring-like action. In the example illustrated in the drawing the lid is deflected inwardly to seal the arrangement. As best seen in FIGURE 4, when the central wall of the lid is deflected inwardly the free end of the sealing member body second portion 24 is deflected outwardly so as to snugly engage the groove 30 in the container neck to effect a fluid-tight seal between the container and the neck.

This arrangement may be used for either a reelosable container or a permanently sealed container. It is contemplated that this arrangement is more likely to be used for a permanently sealed arrangement, such as a eontainer for a product like cleansing powder or liquid. The container central wall may be provided with openings, not shown, which may be temporarily covered until the container is placed in use. If it is desired to use the container as a reelosable container the central wall may be provided with a handle 32. This would be necessary to enable the user to deflect the central wall of the lid axially outwardly in order to open the container, or to close the container if the reverse arrangement of FIG- URES 7 and 8 Were used.

If desired the inner surface of the skirt outer portion 14 may be provided with an annular bead adapted to engage the outer surface of the container neck to provide an additional seal.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIG- URES 5 and 6 of the drawings. In this arrangement the outer and upper skirt portions have been eliminated,

leaving only the inner portion which forms an abbreviated skirt 112 disposed entirely within the container neck.

The remainder of the lid is the same as that of the other views except that a handle 132 may be provided to facilitate insertion and/ or removal of the lid.

Another modification of the invention is shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings. In this arrangement, which has an abbreviated skirt like that shown in FIG- URES 5 and 6, the relationship of the central wall and sealing member to the skirt is reversed from that shown in the other views. The operation is the same in all three embodiments, however, except that in the embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8 the central wall is deflected axially outwardly to snap the sealing member body into the container neck groove.

Although in each of the previously described embodiments, the container neck is shown as having an internal, annular groove or recess 30 spaced inwardly from the free end of the neck, it shall be understood that this groove is not essential to the invention in every situation. If the closure body is formed of a material as hard as or harder than the material of the container neck the body will dig into the neck to efiect a proper seal.

I claim:

1. In a fluid-tight, sealing closure arrangement for a container having a'generally cylindrical neck with an annular groove on the inside thereof spaced inwardly from the open end thereof, a unitary, snap-on lid, formed of plastic material, comprising:

(a) an uninterrupted central Wall of generally uniform thickness throughout its entire area;

(b) a skirt, generally U-shaped in cross-section, surrounding said wall and having:

(i) an outer portion adapted to enclose the outside of said container neck;

(ii) an inner portion adapted to fit within said container neck and presenting a smooth cylindrical outer surface;

(iii) a connecting portion formed integrally with corresponding outer ends of said skirt portions and adapted to extend over the outer end edge of said container neck;

(c) an annular sealing member formed integrally with and hingedly interconnecting said wall and skirt, said sealing member including:

(i) a body having first and second portions;

(ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connecting the outer peripheral edge of said wall to the inner peripheral edge of said body first portion;

(iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge connecting the inner peripheral edge of the skirt inner portion to the body intermediate the ends of said body;

(d) the hinges of said sealing member providing a toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is placed on the container neck in non-sealing position, the sealing member body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of the skirt inner portion, and wherein, when the wall is deflected axially inwardly to sealing position, the free end of the body second portion is deflected radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the skirt and is snapped snugly into the groove of the container neck to seal said container.

2. In a sealing closure arrangement for a container having a generally cylindrical neck with an annular groove on the inside thereof spaced inwardly from the open end thereof, a unitary, snap-on lid, formed of plastic material, comprising:

(a) an uninterrupted central wall;

(b) a skirt adapted to fit within said container neck and presenting a smooth cylindrical outer surface;

(c) an annular sealing member formed integrally with and hingedly interconnecting said wall and skirt, said .caling member including:

(i) a body having first and second portions;

(ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connecting the outer peripheral edge of said wall to the inner peripheral edge of said body first portion;

(iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge connecting the inner peripheral edge of the skirt to the body intermediate the ends of said body;

(d) the hinges of said sealing member providing a toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is placed on the container neck in non-sealing position, the sealing member body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of the skirt inner portion, and wherein, when the wall is deflected axially inwardly to seating position, the free end of the body second portion is deflected radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the skirt and is snapped snugly into the groove of the container neck to seal said container,

3. In a sealing closure arrangement for a container having a. generally cylindrical neck with an annular groove on the inside thereof spaced inwardly from the open end thereof, a unitary, snap-on lid, formed of plastic material, comprising:

(a) an uninterrupted central wall;

(b) a skirt adapted to fit within said container neck and presenting a smooth outer surface;

(c) an annular sealing member formed integrally with and hingedly interconnecting said wall and skirt, said sealing member including:

(i) a body;

(ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connecting the outer peripheral edge of said wall to said body;

(iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge connecting the inner peripheral edge of the skirt to said body;

(d) the hinges of said sealing member providing a toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is placed on the container neck in non-sealing position, the sealing member body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of the skirt, and wherein, when the wall is deflected axially inwardly to sealing position, a free end of the body is deflected radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the skirt and is snapped snugly into the groove of the container neck to seal said container.

4. In a closure arrangement for a container having a generally cylindrical neck with an annular groove on the inside thereof spaced inwardly from the open end thereof, a unitary, snapon lid, formed of plastic material, comprising:

(a) an uninterrupted central wall;

(b) a skirt adapted to fit within said container neck;

(c) an annular member including:

(i) a body;

(ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connecting said wall to said body;

(iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge connecting the skirt to said body;

((1) the hinges of said sealing member providing a toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is placed on the container neck in non-sealing position, the body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of the skirt and wherein, when the wall is deflected axially of said neck a free end of the body is deflected radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the skirt and is snapped snugly into the groove of the container neck to close said container.

5. In a closure arrangement for a container having a generally cylindrical neck, a unitary, snap-on lid, formed of plastic material, comprising:

(a) an uninterrupted central wall;

(b) a skirt adapted to fit within said container neck;

(0) an annular member including:

(i) a body;

(ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connect- (d) the hinges of said sealing member providing a ing said wall to said body; toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is (iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge conplaced on the container neck in non-sealing position, necting the skirt to said body; the body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of (d) the hinges of said sealing member providing a the skirt and wherein, when the Wall is deflected toggle-like arrangement wherein, when the lid is 5 axially of said neck a free end of the body is deplaced on the container neck in non-sealing position, flected radially outwardly of the skirt and is snapped the body is disposed entirely radially inwardly of snugly against the container neck to close said conthe skirt and wherein, when the wall is deflected tainer; axially of said neck a free end of the body is de- (e) said annular body member being hinged to the fiected radially outwardly beyond the outer surface 10 axially outer end of said skirt nearest said container of the skirt and is snapped snugly against the conopening. tainer neck to close said container. 6. In a closure arrangement for a container having a References Cit d generally cylindrical neck with an opening, aunitary, 15 UNITED STATES PATENTS snap-on llCl, formed of plastic matenal, comprising.

(a) a central wall; 1,706,007 3/ 1929 Van Alstyne et a1. 22943 X (b) a skirt adapted to fit within said container neck; 2,487,635 11/1949 cffllfpenter 220-4345 X (c) an annular member i l di 3,080,993 3/ 1963 Livingstone 215-41 X (i) abody; 3,131,825 5/1964- Sarafinas 22024.5 (ii) a relatively thin, integral first hinge connect- 20 3,244,308 4/ 1966 ESPOSItO ing said wall to said body; (iii) a relatively thin, integral second hinge connecting the skirt to said body;

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. 

